“Oh Sally! Lovely setup!” Brenda and Scarlett were Sally’s best friends. They entered Sally’s home to attend her daughter’s seventh birthday party.
The entry way was draped in blue to mimic the ocean’s vibrance.
“Follow me, ladies.” Sally led them towards the dining room. “Mermaids this way.” She quoted the sign on the wall.
“You’ve always had the cutest ideas for these celebrations.” Brenda leaned towards Scarlett and whispered. “Crazy.”
Scarlett tapped Brenda’s hand, quietly asking her to stop with the mockery.
Pink ballons hung from the light fixture above the kitchen table. The cake, iced in turquoise, sat centered on a mermaid tablecloth. The candle shaped like a number seven was already lit. There were four place settings, each with a triangular party hat. Scarlett placed hers upon her head and then screeched as the rubber band string snapped underneath her chin. That’s when she realized she and Brenda had been encouraging Sally’s nonsense far too long.
“Honey, we must talk.” Scarlett wrapped her arms around Sally’s neck, hugged her tightly and then stepped back to make eye contact with her. “We do this because we love you but, sweetie, little Katie passed away four years ago, throwing these birthday parties cannot be healthy for you. You’ve got to move on.”
Sally, speechless, shook her head. “No, it’s different this year.”
The home’s foundation began to shake, the light’s dimmed and a horrid smell swam through the air, violating the ladies’ noses. The candle’s flame flickered once more before extinguishing.
“Mommy.” Katie’s raspy voice echoed throughout the room. “Don’t I get my wish?” A dirt covered child with eyes of fire stood crying out.
“I prayed you’d come back.” Sally embraced the child.
Katie’s rotten teeth were exposed as deep laughter exited her body. She was no longer Katie.
Leesa Writes 